Norma Mngoma prosecution ‘fruits of a poisonous tree’, Mpofu tells court
The legal team representing Norma Mngoma has asked the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court to drop the charges against their client.
They told the court on Friday that the evidence against her is “fruits of a poisonous tree” and therefore inadmissible.
The argument comes a day after the High Court in Pretoria ruled in favour of Mngoma and against the Hawks, declaring her arrest by the unit as unlawful.
The court also found the decision to confiscate the cell phones and laptops of the estranged wife of former minister Malusi Gigaba to have been unlawful.
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Mngoma's advocate Dali Mpofu believes the ruling is further proof that Mgoma'a arrest and prosecution was an abuse of power.
Mpofu told the court there is no evidence of an investigation into the alleged death threats by Mngoma on Gigaba's life.
"Their action appeared to have been motivated by an abuse of power by the former minister and member of the executive.
"There is no evidence that an investigation was conducted regarding the conspiracy to murder Mr Gigaba," Mpofu said.
The court has given the prosecution more than a month to respond to the arguments.
The matter has been postponed.
